macerator lockout

[jrcooksr]

Hello all,
First post. I am the proud owner of a 1986 Catalina 30. This is the second year of ownership. While looking at my fresh water pump, I discovered that the hose leading from my macerator to the thru hull was unrestricted. I know this is in violation and I want to correct ASAP. However, the plastic lever on the thru hull will not accommodate a lock and I don't really know how else to eliminate the circuit short of disconnecting the hose. Even then, I'm not sure that would be in compliance. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Jeff

 

[Donnybrook]

I use wire ties from the handle to the base. Passed the Coastguard inspection.

 

[Benny17441]

The requirement in the US to lock a sanitation discharge valve pertains only to a direct discharge sytem. Such systems are only found in boats that lack a holding tank or that have a "Y" valve in between the toilet unit and a holding tank. The reason is that the authorities look to prevent an accidental discharge. A holding tank is a Type III Marine Sanitation Device approved under Federal Regulations. If the only discharge line a boat has comes after the holding tank there is no obligation to lock or secure that line. With a holding tank in between the toilet and the discharge line the presumption of accidental discharge is considered mute as to empty the tank requires the use of a pump manual or electric which can only be operated by a wilfull act. We have such a setup and have been inspected in various occassions in different districts and not a problem.

 

[jrcooksr]

Thank you

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

How did you manage to come up with that, Benny???

Federal law requires that ANY sanitation plumbing, whether from a toilet, tank or treatment device, be secured against "accidental" discharge. 33 CFR 159.7 describes the various acceptable methods:

(a) No person may operate any vessel equipped with installed toilet facilities unless it is equipped with:
(1) An operable Type II or III device that has a label on it under § 159.16 or that is certified under § 159.12 or § 159.12a; or
(2) An operable Type I device that has a label on it under § 159.16 or that is certified under § 159.12, if the vessel is 19.7 meters (65 feet) or less in length.
(b) When operating a vessel on a body of water where the discharge of treated or untreated sewage is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 140.3 or 140.4, the operator must secure each Type I or Type II device in a manner which prevents discharge of treated or untreated sewage. Acceptable methods of securing the device include—
(1) Closing the seacock and removing the handle;
(2) Padlocking the seacock in the closed position;
(3) Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold the seacock in the closed position; or
(4) Locking the door to the space enclosing the toilets with a padlock or door handle key lock.

(c) When operating a vessel on a body of water where the discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 140.3, the operator must secure each Type III device in a manner which prevents discharge of sewage. Acceptable methods of securing the device include—
(1) Closing each valve leading to an overboard discharge and removing the handle;
(2) Padlocking each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position; or
(3) Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position.

 

[Sailvayu]

Epoxy a small piece of wood to your hull under the handle when it is in the closed position. Use one of those little plastic fittings for holding a wire tie on the block then secure the handle in the closed position with a wire tie. When you need to dump the tank offshore cut the wire tie open the valve. When done secure closed again with a wire tie. You could add a key switch to the power on the pump but most inspectors want to see the valve secured closed.
http://sailvayu.com/the-three-mile-limit/

 

[Grouperhound]

This is an interesting discussion. The CFR requirements seem in some cases redundant. Opening the valve to my seacocks does nothing. Only by opening the valve to the seacock and engaging the macerator pumps will there be a discharge. My macerator pumps require a key to engage. I'm not even sure I know where the keys are. It has exactly the same effectiveness as a padlock and 'key'. Either way the system is blocked from operation or accidental discharge by method of a lock and key.